[Drew2k]

Logitech has a new high-end remote for 2012, the "Harmony Touch".

AVS forum has the post (link) and Engadget picked up on it (link), after someone snapped pictures of it at Best Buy. It's not on BB's web site yet, nor is ot on Logitech's web site, so I wonder if it was put out too early at that Best Buy.

From the box it has a large screen in the center with some hard keys above and below it, and the screen is apparently swipe sensitive.

It supports 15 devices, says it has onscreen customization with an asterisk. I presume that's for things like screen on/off duration, brightness, contrast, theme, and not programming devices, but it will be interesting to find out more.

No mention of RF, like the 900, but I do like the charging cradle holds the remote upright instead of prone. That could save some space on my end table.

Everything I watch is DVR'd, so I don't the location of the transport keys, all the way at the top, but I'd have to hold it to see if that would really be a problem.

I also don't like the location of the color keys at all, all the way at the bottom of the remote, nor can I tell if there are hard buttons for Guide/Info/Menu/Exit, some other critical keys.

Looks like I'll be making a field trip to Best Buy to see if it's in stock and how much it costs.

Any other Harmony remote users out there want to share your thoughts on this? Or if not a Harmony user, what do you think of this new mysterious remote?

 

[Davenlr]

Looks like my 900 with the keys moved. Like you, I am not excited about those key placements.
My Vizio Co-Star remote also has the transport keys on the top, and its a P.I.A.

 

[David Ortiz]

I found a pic of it from a cached page through a Yahoo search.

 

[Drew2k]

Great find David... that remote actually looks more compact than a One or a 900, so maybe the hand/finger-travel from bottom to top won't be so bad.

And it does have Menu and Exit above the navigation keys, but Info and Guide are way at the bottom. That makes no sense!

I also see a dedicated DVR key - I presume that is like List for many systems.

 

[RunnerFL]

That does not look the slightest bit enticing. It would have to have some pretty substantial bells and whistles for me to put up with that layout.

 

[Drew2k]

That does not look the slightest bit enticing. It would have to have some pretty substantial bells and whistles for me to put up with that layout.

I wonder if sequences ("macros" to the rest of the world) have returned - but even then, at a limit of 5 keys, they weren't that much of a bell or a whistle...

 

[Davenlr]

They should just write an Ipad or android app, have it sent wireless IP to a wireless router and then have a wireless receiver IR AND RF transmitter hidden somewhere in the room.

Let people configure their own layouts and activities and macros. Just use their database for the inital programming of the devices. A USB IR receiver could be included to allow the Ipad or android device to learn new commands from original remotes.

 

[RunnerFL]

I wonder if sequences ("macros" to the rest of the world) have returned - but even then, at a limit of 5 keys, they weren't that much of a bell or a whistle...

I don't think macros will ever return to Harmony remotes unfortunately. That's the only thing I don't like about my 900.

 

[RunnerFL]

They should just write an Ipad or android app, have it sent wireless IP to a wireless router and then have a wireless receiver IR AND RF transmitter hidden somewhere in the room.

Let people configure their own layouts and activities and macros. Just use their database for the inital programming of the devices. A USB IR receiver could be included to allow the Ipad or android device to learn new commands from original remotes.

You may want to look at the "Harmony Link" then. Still no macros though...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846

 

[spartanstew]

I've been disappointed in Harmony for a couple of years now. They seem to have abandoned their mid-level remotes which are the ones that I like.

The 670/620 is by far my favorite remote and you just can't find them anymore. When you have kids and hardwood floors, remotes don't last very long and I don't want to drop a couple of hundred dollars on a remote.

I was able to find a couple of 676's on Ebay 2 weeks agao for $40 apiece and while I don't like them as much as the 670/620, they'll do for now.

I just have no need for a color screen, touch, rechargeable, etc., but that's all they seem to be making lately (that or their bottom tier that only handle 3-5 components).

Oh, and that touch looks like it only has one set of ff and rew, so you'd have to put the others on the touch screen I guess (for rewind and slip/skip).

 

[Davenlr]

Yea, I saw that one. Only 8 devices. Not even CLOSE to my needs They are on the right track tho. Give it 32 devices, and macros...and RF in addition to IR, and we are talking.

 

[Cholly]

Although only 18 devices, you might want to check out the Acoustic Research Xsight Touch.
Review here: http://www.remotecentral.com/reviews/acoustic_research_xsight_touch/index.html

 

[mrro82]

Not a fan of the buttons above the screen. Seems you would accidentally hit one of the screen buttons reaching for one. Ill stick to my one.

 

[Drew2k]

Looking more at the touch screen image itself, posted by David Ortiz, it looks like there's one activity per screen and you swipe left or right to see additional activities. I'd hope that's a user-customizable option, so if desired you could see 6 activities per screen, but if it's locked at one activity per screen that yet again would make no sense.

With support for 15 devices you'd think this is targeted towards the higher-end, but I'm completely underwhelmed by what I see so far.

Maybe the price will be a nice surprise. Under $200 maybe?

 

[Carl Spock]

I forgot that Harmony has dropped Sequences from their systems. I dread the day my 890 dies. I have that thing customized up the wazoo.

I'd probably go with an RTI remote when I need to replace my Harmony.

 

[RunnerFL]

Although only 18 devices, you might want to check out the Acoustic Research Xsight Touch.
Review here: http://www.remotecentral.com/reviews/acoustic_research_xsight_touch/index.html

Owned one, not a fan.

 

[Stuart Sweet]

Figures, I just replaced my old 700 with another 700. I wonder though... Is it as customizable? When I set up my new 700 I started with logitech's new myharmony portal, only to realize it didn't support macros or sending additional commands during startup. I went back to the old harmony software. Will the old software support this new remote, or will there be new software to add macros and other customizations to this remote?

 

[David Ortiz]

There are three more pics posted at Engadget:

http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/29/logitech-harmony-touch-best-buy-leak/

The person who took the pictures has commented in the article and is answering questions.

 

[sigma1914]

They should just write an Ipad or android app, have it sent wireless IP to a wireless router and then have a wireless receiver IR AND RF transmitter hidden somewhere in the room.

Let people configure their own layouts and activities and macros. Just use their database for the inital programming of the devices. A USB IR receiver could be included to allow the Ipad or android device to learn new commands from original remotes.

That's how my Redeye Remote works. Control it with a computer, iDevice, or Android. I love it.

 

[Mike Bertelson]

It's been a long time since I've programmed a Harmony (my 550 is currently in a drawer). Do I understand correctly that we can't do sequences at all? That doesn't make sense to me that they would abandon macros completely. I was planning on pulling the 550 out to use with the setup in the bedroom but now I’m not so sure.

I have a few URC remotes and I love my macros (Menu Restart, To-Do, changing audio/video settings on the AVR, etc.). I can also use variables and if/else statements. I know the Harmony’s can’t do that.

I'm not sure I like the transport buttons above the touch screen.

Mike